Vale workers facing closure

The president of Local 6166 of the United Steelworkers, Murray Nychyporuk, is quoted as terming his union’s recent agreement with Vale in Thompson, Man. as “bittersweet.”

The company has announced that it will be closing the smelter and refinery, meaning layoffs of 500 employees out of the current total of close to 1,200.

Two of the considerations that led to the decision are the high sulphur dioxide output of the plant and the imminent opening of nickel processing facilities in Newfoundland and Labrador. The mine and mill will remain open.